"This book traces the gradual transition of the devadasi system from the early
medieval to the modern society from sacred to profane spaces. In early medieval period
these were women with a lot of wealth and standing dedicated to temples. The intervention
of the colonial power introduced new economic patterns that influence new kinds of social
structure. The nation building process of the 19th century C.E. was largely constructed on
female sexuality that brought concepts such as `social purity', `good women', and
`motherhood' to the forefront. This fruther weakened the social acceptance of the devadasi
women. In the early 20th century C.E., devadasi lost both their social and economic base
and became common prostitutes and eventually the devadasi instituion faded away. This
study uses qualitative methods, especially the methodologies of History and Gender
Studies. Besides archival research, this research also carried out unstructured interviews
with the last surviving devadasis. This book would be a very valuable resource for
students and researchers of History, Women's studies and Religion."
[from
Blurb]

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

1. Introduction

2. Pre-Colonial South India : The Historical Context

3. Emergence and Growth of the Devadasi System : Pre Colonial Period

4. The Devadasi System : The Colonial Period

5. The Twentieth century Debate on Devadasi System

6. The Life Stories of Some Selected Devadasis of South India

7. Conclusion

Bibliography

Appendices

Index

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